Holiday Inn Express New York City Chelsea
by the TopOfHotel team
Holiday Inn Express Chelsea is an IHG chain within walking distance of 6 subway stations in fast-rising Chelsea — and the included breakfast makes it better value than the room rate alone suggests.
Holiday Inn Express Chelsea is an IHG chain within walking distance of 6 subway stations in fast-rising Chelsea — and the included breakfast makes it better value than the room rate alone suggests.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The 228 rooms follow the standard Holiday Inn Express playbook — brown-and-beige tones, 22 to 28 sq m, sleeping 1 to 4, with a work desk, a coffee maker and a clean bathroom. The Two Queen Beds family rooms suit groups of 3 to 4. Reviews call the rooms clean and the service the kind of predictable IHG standard you can plan around. Rates start near $205 a night. The layout is built for function over flair, with enough space in the Two Queen rooms for a family of four without feeling cramped.
Food and amenities
Breakfast is folded into the rate — an American buffet with eggs, bread, cereal and fruit — which trims the daily food spend, especially for families. Beyond breakfast you get a fitness centre, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi, the dependable set that keeps a working trip moving. There's no full restaurant beyond breakfast, but Chelsea Market's food hall is a short walk for lunch or dinner, so the missing hotel kitchen rarely bites.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits in Chelsea, just south of Midtown, a short walk from Chelsea Market, the elevated High Line park and the newer Hudson Yards district. The headline is transit: 6 subway stations sit within walking distance, covering lines 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, M, N, R and W, so getting anywhere in the city is quick. Times Square is a 15-minute walk but only about 5 minutes by subway. The elevated High Line runs through the neighbourhood for an easy car-free walk, with the Hudson Yards shops and the Vessel at its northern end.
Things to know before booking
This is a 3-star chain hotel, so the rooms and decor are standard rather than distinctive — clean and reliable, not the look of a design hotel. Times Square is a 15-minute walk, so you will lean on the subway to get there. And while the starting rate is reasonable, peak-season prices push toward $400, which narrows the value edge.
Our take
This one is best for IHG One Rewards members, families who want breakfast included, and travellers who plan to work through Chelsea, the High Line and Hudson Yards. With 6 subway stations within walking distance, a Times Square that looks far on the map becomes a 5-minute ride. It scores 7.9/10 on Booking.com and 8.1 on Agoda. If you specifically want to be right next to Times Square, look elsewhere.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Six subway stations sit within walking distance, so getting to any neighbourhood in Manhattan is quick and easy.
- Breakfast is included in the price, which trims a meaningful chunk off the cost of a multi-night trip.
- As an IHG property it earns IHG One Rewards points and lets you use your status perks in full.
- Close to Chelsea Market, the High Line and Hudson Yards, three of the busiest spots in this part of Manhattan.
- Rooms run 22 to 28 sq m and sleep 1 to 4, with Two Queen Beds family rooms that work for groups of 3 to 4.
- It is a 15-minute walk to Times Square, so you will usually take the subway rather than walk.
- The rooms and decor are standard Holiday Inn Express — clean and predictable, but not the look of a design hotel.
- Top-season rates climb toward $400, which narrows the value gap that makes the hotel appealing in the first place.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Sign in to IHG One Rewards before booking — as an IHG property this hotel earns points and honours status perks in full.
- Use the breakfast: the American buffet of eggs, bread, cereal and fruit is in the rate, so it cuts your daily food spend, especially for families.
- Treat Times Square as 5 minutes by subway, not the 15-minute walk it looks like on the map — the 6 nearby stations make the trip painless.